Anti-retrieval device

ABSTRACT

A transport for paper objects has upper and lower platens which coact to define a passageway; and a blocking member is disposed adjacent the entrance of that passageway. Fingers on that blocking member normally are held out of that passageway, but those fingers can be moved into position within that passageway to block that passageway. The blocking member is mounted on a pivot which is closely adjacent to one of the platens, so forces which are applied to the fingers of that blocking member will have small moment arms, and hence could not easily cause those blocking fingers to move very far. Toothed members are disposed adjacent the exit of the passageway; and the teeth on those toothed members are oriented so they can readily permit paper objects to exit from that passageway, but can strongly resist efforts to pull a paper object in the reverse direction between those toothed members. One of the toothed members extends downwardly from the upper platen into the passageway, and the other of those toothed members extends upwardly from the lower platen up into that passageway. The toothed surfaces on the toothed members are not in register with each other and, instead, are spaced laterally from each other; and the leading edge of at least one of those toothed members acts as an inclined plane to cause inserted paper objects to bow slightly as those paper objects move between those toothed members. After the paper object has moved beyond the toothed members, the restorative forces within that paper object will cause that paper object to re-assume its normal flat state; and, at such time, the toothed surfaces on both toothed members will block movement of that paper object through the passageway in the reverse direction.

United States Patent [191 Pescetto Dec. 9, 1975 [73] Assignee: UMC Industries, Inc., New York,

22 Filed: Oct. 11, 1973 i [21] Appl. No.: 405,538

[52] US. Cl 271/3; 194/4 R; 194/97 R; 209/DIG. 2; 271/DIG. 9 [51] Int. Cl.' B65H 5/00; B65l-I 5/38 [58] Field of Search. 271/3, DIG. 9, 8, 272-274, 271/188; 194/4 R, 4 E, DIG. 9 B, 1 E, l K, DIG. 20, 97 R, 4 G, 97 A; 133/1 R; 209/DIG.

Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Assistant ExaminerBruce H. Stoner, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmRogers, Ezell & Eilers [57] ABSTRACT A transport for paper objects has upper and lower platens which coact to define a passageway; and a blocking member is disposed adjacent the entrance of that passageway. Fingers on that blocking member normally are held out of that passageway, but those fingers can be moved into position within that passageway to block that passageway. The blocking member is mounted on a pivot which is closely adjacent to one of the platens, so forces which are applied to the fingers of that blocking member will have small moment arms, and hence could not easily cause those blocking fingers to move very far. Toothed members are disposed adjacent the exit of the passageway; and

the teeth on those toothed members are oriented so they can readily permit paper objects to exit from that passageway, but can strongly resist efforts to pull a paper object in the reverse direction between those toothed members. One of the toothed members extends downwardly from the upper platen into the passageway, and the other of those toothed members extends upwardly from the lower platen up into that passageway. The toothed surfaces. on the toothed members are not in register with each other and, instead, are spaced laterally from each other; and the leading edge of at least one of those toothed members acts as an inclined plane to cause inserted paper objects to bow slightly as those paper objects move between those toothed members. After the paper object has moved beyond the toothed members, the restorative forces within that paper object will cause that paper object to re-assume its normal flat state; and, at such time, the toothed surfaces on [both toothed members will block movement of that paper object through the passageway in the reverse direction.

8 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures ANTI-RETRIEVAL DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION Transports for paper objects frequently are equipped with devices and mechanisms that are intended to prevent unauthorized retrieval of paper objects from those transports. Usually those devices or mechanisms must respond to unauthorized efforts to retrieve a paper object to move into position to block such efforts. Because inertia, dust, lack of lubrication, and the like can retard the rate at which such devices or mechanisms move, it would be desirable to provide devices or mechanisms which were static but which could prevent unauthorized retrieval of paper objects from a transport. The present invention provides a static device which can prevent unauthorized retrieval of a paper object from a transport. Also, that transport has a blocking member adjacent the entrance thereof which has fingers that normally are disposed outwardly of the passageway but which can extend into and through that passageway to block that passageway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The transport provided by the present invention has platens which define a passageway for paper objects; and a blocking member is mounted adjacent the entrance of that passageway. That blocking member has fingers which normally are wholly external of that passageway but which can be selectively moved into that passageway to block unauthorized retrieval of a paper object. Slots are provided in the platens to accommodate the fingers of the blocking member, and those fingers are narrow in a direction which is transverse of the long axis of the passageway, and those slots have rounded ends. Consequently, those slots do not impede movement of paper objects inwardly or outwardly of that passageway. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a transport with upper and lower platens which have rounded-end slots therein that are narrow in a direction which is transverse of the passageway defined by those platens and which accommodate the fingers of a blocking member.

The blocking member provided by the present invention is mounted on a pivot which is closely adjacent to one of those platens, and hence is close to that passageway. The disposition of that pivot closely adjacent to the passageway minimizes the rotative moments which forces, that are applied to the fingers of that blocking member, can develop for that blocking member. As a result, forces which are applied to the fingers of that blocking member during unauthorized efforts to retrieve the paper objects will develop only small rotative moments. It is, therefore, an object of the present invcntion to mount a blocking member on a pivot which is closely adjacent to a passageway for paper objects.

The passageway of the transport of the present invention has toothed members adjacent the exit thereof; and those toothed members are formed so they permit essentially unimpeded movement of paper objects toward and out of the exit of that passageway but strongly resist unauthorized efforts to move those paper objects in the reverse direction. The toothed surfaces on the toothed members are not in register with each other and, instead, are displaced laterally from each other; and hence a paper object can bow as it passes between those toothed surfaces. After that paper object has moved beyond the toothed members,

the restorative forces within that paper object will cause it to re-assume its flat state; and, thereupon, the teeth on the toothed members will be in register with that paper object and will prevent retrieval of that paper object in intact form. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide toothed members, which are located adjacent the exit of the passageway in a transport for paper objects, with toothed surfaces that are displaced laterally from each other to permit paper objects to bow-as they move between those toothed members.

One of the toothed members provided by the present invention can be set in a position wherein it is wholly displaced from the passageway and hence is ineffective, or can be set so the teeth thereon extend into the passageway and will effectively prevent retrieval of paper objects in intact form. In locations where few, if any, unauthorized attempts to retrieve paper objects occur, that movable toothed member will be moved wholly out of the passageway to facilitate unimpeded movement of wrinkled and torn paper objects toward and through the exit of that passageway. However, in any location where repeated efforts are made to effect unauthorized retrieval of paper objects, that movable toothed member will be moved into the passageway to prevent the withdrawal of paper objects in intact form.

Other and further objects and advantages of the pres ent invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing, FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away partially-sectioned front elevational view of a transport in which the anti-retrieval devices of the present invention are incorporated,

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the transport of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is another vertical section through the trans port of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 4-4 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 5-5 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is another horizontal section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 7 is a further horizontal section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 7-7 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 8 is a further vertical section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 8-8 in FIG. 4,

FIG. 9 is a still further vertical section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 9-9 in FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a still further horizontal section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 10-10 in FIG. 8,

FIG. 11 is a vertical section, on a larger scale, through the rear portion of the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line l111 in FIG. 6,

FIG. 12 is yet another vertical section through the transport of FIGS. 1 and 2, and it is taken along the broken plane indicated by the broken line 1212 in FIG. 3, and

FIG. 13 is a vertical section which is similar to the vertical section of FIG. 11, but it shows the movable toothed member in its raised position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral generally denotes a transport in which the anti-retrieval devices of the present invention are incorporated. That transport could be used to transport scrip, paper currency or other paper objects; but it is will adapted for use in transporting scrip. Consequently, the transport 30 will be referred to hereinafter as a scrip transport for use in a scrip validator. The numeral 32 denotes a platform which extends outwardly from the front of that scrip transport; and that platform will receive the leading edge of each piece of scrip which is to be tested by the scrip validator of which that scrip transport is a part. A flange 34 and a flange 35 of generally triangular configurations extend upwardly from the sides of the platform 32; and that platform has an upwardlyinclined inner end 38 which merges into a platen 40. An elongated flange 42 and an elongated flange 43 extend downwardly from the elongated sides of the platen 40. The numeral 45 denotes the trailing edge of the platen and that trailing edge inclines downwardly and then terminates in a vertically-directed lip, as shown by FIGS. 3 and 4.

The numeral 62 denotes a headed pin which is secured to the flange 42 and which is adjacent the front of the scrip transport 30. The numeral 64 denotes a further headed pin which is supported by the flange 42 and which is spaced to the right of the headed pin 62. The numeral 63 denotes an elongated pivot which is secured to the flange 42 and 43 and which is spaced to the right of the headed pin 64.

The numeral 67 denotes a headed pin which is secured to the flange 43 and which is in register with the headed pin 64, and the numeral 68 denotes a headed pin which is secured to the flange 43 and which is in register with the headed pin 62, all as shown by FIG. 5.

The numeral 70 denotes a leaf-type spring which is bent so the right-hand end thereof inclines upwardly to bear against the under surface of the platen 40. That spring is bent to have a downwardly-opening saddle which rests upon the headed pin 64, to have an elongated portion which inclines upwardly and to the left from that saddle, and to have a bifurcated left-hand end with fingers that define an upwardly-opening saddle. The numerals 72 and 74 denote springs which can be identical to the spring 70; but the bifurcated ends of those springs extend to the right rather than to the left in FIGS. 4 and S. The downwardly-opening saddle of spring 72 rests upon the headed pin 62; and hence that spring is adjacent the front of the platen 40. The downwardly-opening saddle of the spring 74 rests upon the elongated pivot 63; and hence that spring is adjacent the trailing edge of that platen. The numerals 73, 75 and 77 denote leaf-type springs which preferably are identical to, and in register with, the springs 72, 70 and 74. The downwardly-opening saddles of springs 73, 75

and 77 rest, respectively, upon headed pin 68, headed pin 67 and elongated pivot 63.

A short pivot 80 is supported by the upwardly-open ing saddle which is defined by the fingers at the bifurcated end of the spring 72; and that pivot rotatably supports a roller 82. A similar pivot 84 is supported by the upwardly-opening saddle which is defined by the fin gers at the bifurcated end of the spring and that pivot rotatably supports a roller 86. A further similar pivot 88 is supported by the upwardly-opening saddle which is defined by the fingers at the bifurcated end of the spring 74; and that pivot rotatably supports a roller 90. The numerals 89, 83 and 87 denote pivots which are in register with the pivots 80, 84 and 88 and which are supported by the upwardly-opening saddles that are defined by fingers at the bifurcated ends of springs 73, and 77. The pivots 89, 83 and 87 rotatably support rollers 92, and 91.

The numeral 98 denotes an arm which has a hub that encircles the elongated pivot 63; and a pivot 100 is fixedly secured to the outer end of that arm. That pivot rotatably supports a roller 102. An arm also has the hub thereof encircling the elongated pivot 63; and a pivot 112 is fixedly secured to the outer end of that arm. That pivot rotatably supports a roller 1 l4. Springs, not shown, encircle the elongated pivot 63 and urge the rollers 102 and 114 upwardly relative to the platen 40.

The numeral 118 denotes an upper platen which normally is disposed in parallel relation with, and in close proximity to, the platen 40. The platen 118 has downwardly-directed flanges 120 and 121 at its elongated sides; and each of those flanges has a downwardlyopening slot 122 adjacent the front end thereof. The numeral 124 denotes a semi-cylindrical leading edge of the platen 1 18; and that semi-cylindrical leading edge is disposed forwardly of the upwardly-inclined rear portion 38 of the platform 32. The platen 118 has an upwardly-inclined trailing edge 126, as shown by FIGS. 3 v

and 4.

The numeral denotes a cover for the scrip transport 30; and that cover has downwardly-directed flanges 142 and 143 at the elongated sides thereof. The numeral 144 denotes a switch bracket which is secured to the cover 140; and that switch bracket holds a normally-open, single-pole, single-throw switch 146 adjacent the front of the platen 118. The numeral 148 de notes a sturdy but thin actuator for the switch 146; and that actuator extends downwardly through slots in the platens 1 18 and 40. The leading edge of the actuator is essentially straight, but the trailing edge is convex. The configurations and inclinations of the leading and trailing edges of actuator 148 enable the leading edge and trailing edge, respectively, of a piece of scrip to easily raise that actuator upwardly out of the slot in the platen 40. As a result, the switch actuator 148 permits relatively free movement of pieces of scrip inwardly and outwardly of the scrip transport 30.

The numeral 154 denotes a second switch bracket which is secured to the cover 140; and that switch bracket supports a normally-open, single-pole, singlethrow switch 156. The numeral 158 denotes a sturdy but thin actuator for the switch 156; and that actuator extends downwardly through slots in the platens 118 and 40. The configurations and inclinations of the leading and trailing edges of the switch actuator 158 enable the leading edge and trailing edge, respectively, of a piece of scrip to easily raise that actuator upwardly out of the appropriate slot in the platen 40. As a result, the switch actuator 158 permits relatively free movement of pieces of scrip inwardly and outwardly of the scrip transport 30. I

The numeral 160 denotes a third switch bracket which is secured to the cover 140; and that switch bracket is adjacent the rear of that cover. That switch bracket supports normally-open, single-pole, singlethrow switch 162; and that switch has an actuator 164 which extends downwardly through slots in the platens 118 and 40. If a person were to attempt to pull a piece of scrip outwardly of the scrip transport 30, after the trailing edge of that piece of scrip has been moved inwardly beyond the actuator 164, that piece of scrip would be intercepted by that actuator. In that event, the actuator 164 would make it impossible for that person to recover that piece of scrip in intact form.

The numerals 188 and 190 denote pulleys which are mounted on short pivots 189 and 197 that are supported by the flange 42; and the numeral 194 denotes a pulley which is mounted on one end of an elongated shaft 182 that is rotatably supported by bushings which are mounted in the flanges 142 and 143. The pulleys 188, 190 and 194 accommodate'an elongated endless belt 198; and the lower run of that belt is engaged by the upper portions of the rollers 82, 86 and 90. The numerals 191 and 193 denote pulleys which are mounted on short pivots 185 and 183 that are supported by the flange 43; and the numeral 195 denotes a pulley which is mounted on the other end of the elongated shaft 182. The pulleys 191, 193 and 195 support an endless belt 199. A worm wheel 200 is fixedly secured to the shaft 182; and a work gear 202 meshes with that worm wheel. That worm gear is mounted on the output shaft 203 of a DC. motor 562 which is enclosed by a motor housing 204 that extends upwardly from the cover 140. That motor is a reversible permanent magnet DC. motor which drives an AC generator by means of an internal connection. That A.C. generator is located within the motor housing 204; and that connection is direct mechanical connection. In the said preferred embodiment of script transport, the motor 562, the AC. generator and the connection are parts of a type CYQM Motor With Integral Tachometer Generator which is marketed by the Barber Colman Company as model No. CYQM 23360-3. When the motor 562 is energized in the forward direction, it will directly drive the AC. generator in that direction, and it will drive the lower runs of the belts 198 and 100 inwardly of the scrip transport 30. When the motor is energized in the reverse direction, it will directly drive the AC. generator in that direction, and it will drive the lower runs of belts 198 and 199 outwardly of that scrip transport.

The numeral 206 denotes a mounting bracket which fixedly holds magnetic heads 208 and 210 in spacedapart relation. Those magnetic heads are spaced both laterally and longitudinally of the elongated axis of the scrip transport 30; and hence the air gaps of those magnetic heads will sense two laterally-spaced, longitudinally-extending paths.

The numeral 220 denotes an elongated pivot which has the opposite ends thereof secured to the rear portions of the flanges 120 and 121 on the upper platen 118; and that pivot extends through aligned openings in the flanges 42 and 43 on the lower platen 40. As a result, the pivot 220 enables the upper platen 118 and the cover 140 plus the various components which are 6 mounted on that upper platen and on that cover to be rotated upwardly and away from the lower platen 40. Such rotation is desirable; because it permits ready and free access to the passageway defined by the lower platen 40 and the upper platen 118. However, the upper platen 1 18 will normally respond to its weight, to the weight of the cover 140, and to the weight of the components mounted on that upper platen and on that cover to urge the lower face of the lower runs of the belts 198 and 199 into-intimate engagement with the upper faces of the rollers 82, 85, 86, 90, 91 and 92. The springs 70, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 77 will yield slightly in response to the combined weights of the upper platen 118, of the cover 140, and of the components which are carried by that upper platen and by that cover; but

those springs will hold the upper surfaces of the rollers 82, 85, 86, 90, 91 and 92 above the upper surface of the lower platen 40. Those rollers and the rollers 102 and 114 are in registerwith openings in that lower platen.

The numeral 170 denotes a switch bracket which is secured to the cover 140 a short distance to the right of the switch bracket 144, as those switch brackets are viewed in FIG. 1. The former switch bracket supports a single-pole single-throw switch 494 which has an actuator 174; and that switch is biased toward closed posi tion. As indicated particularly by FIG. 3, the switch 494 is located adjacent the front of the scrip transport 30.

The numeral 176 denotes an elongated pivot which has the ends thereof disposed in openings in the flanges 142 and 143 on the cover 140.. The numeral 178 denotes a blocking member which is U-shaped in plan, and which has downwardly-extending fingers 180 and 181 at the free ends of the arms thereof. Those fingers are dimensioned to extend downwardly through slots 168 and 166 in the upper platen l 18, and also to extend downwardly through slots 172 and 171 in the lower platen 40. As indicated particularly by FIG. 8, the slots 166 and 171 are in vertical registry and the slots 168 and 172 are in vertical registry. An ear 184 extends outwardly from that arm of the blocking member 178 of which the finger 181 is a part, as shown particularly by FIG. 8; and that ear underlies the actuator 174 of switch 494, as shown by FIGS. 8 and 10. An arcuate slot 213 is provided in that arm of the blocking member 178 of which the fingers 181 is a part, and that slot is shown by FIG. 9. The numeral 214 denotes a torsion spring which encircles the left-hand end of the elongated pivot 176, as that pivot is viewed in FIGS. 8 and 10. One end of that torsion spring bears against the under surface of the cover 140, and the other end of that spring bears against the car 184 on blocking member 178; and that torsion spring biases the fingers 180 and 181 of that blocking member downwardly relative to the platens 118 and 40. However, that spring can yield to permit that blocking member to be moved to the upper position shown by FIG. 9.

A solenoid 388 is mounted on the cover and the plunger 389 of that solenoid has a slot in the lower end thereof. That slot accommodates a portion of the arm of the blocking member 178 which has the slot 213 7 ing member 178 for movement to the position shown by FIGS. 3, 4 and 8; but that spring will yield to permit the solenoid 388 to raise that blocking member to the position shown by FIG. 9.

The numeral 46 denotes a rectangular opening in the lower platen adjacent the front of that platen; and that opening accommodates the upper portion of a plastic mounting for a U-shaped permanent magnet 48. Screws 52 are used to fixedly hold the upper portion of the plastic mounting 50 in position within the opening 46. That magnet will, as a tape, card, or other object is introduced into the scrip transport 30, erase any information which has been encoded into the magnetic particles on that tape, card or other object.

The numeral 216 denotes a toothed member which is mounted within an opening 217 in the upper platen 118, as shown particularly by FIG. 11. The teeth on that toothed member have gently-inclined leading edges but abruptly-inclined trailing edges. The numeral 218 denotes a toothed member which is U-shaped in elevation, as shown particularly by FIG. 2; and the teeth on that toother member are on the upper edges of the sides of that toothed member. The lower edges of those sides incline upwardly from front to rear, as indicated particularly by FIG. 11. Generally L-shaped slots 222 are provided at the left-hand ends of the sides of the toothed member 218, as shown particularly by FIGS. 3, 4 and 11; and those slots accommodate the elongated pivot 63. Projections 224 are provided on each side of the toothed member 218; and one of those projections is shown in detail in FIG. 11. Helical compression springs 226 telescope downwardly over those projections; and the upper ends of those springs bear against the under surface of the platen 40 while the lower ends of those springs bear against the sides of the toothed member 218. The teeth on the upper edges of the sides of the toothed member 218 have gentlyinclined leading edges but abruptly-inclined trailing edges, as emphasized particularly by FIG. 11.

The numeral 221 denotes a block which has a horizontally-directed opening therein which can telescope over the elongated pivot 220; and that block is dimensioned to fit under the downwardly-inclined trailing edge 45 of the lower platen 40. The shank of a bolt 223 extends through a horizontally-directed opening in the block 221 which is set at right angles to the opening which accommodates the elongated pivot 220. A nut 225 is threaded onto the shank of the bolt 223 to hold that bolt in assembled relation with the block 221. A cam 227, which has the form of a right-circular cylinder with reduced-diameter ends, has a threaded opening therethrough which accommodates the shank of the bolt 223. The reduced-diameter ends of the cam 227 are in register with the upwardly-inclined lower edges of the sides of the toothed member 218, as shown by FIG. 5.

The numeral 165 denotes a closure for the bottom of the scrip transport 30; and upwardly-extending flanges on that closure extend upward above the lower edges of the flanges 142 and 143 of the cover 140. A hardened bearing plate 228 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom of the closure 165; and that hardened bearing plate is in register with the cam 227. That hardened bearing plate will fully support the cam 227, and it will permit repeated shifting of the position of that cam without exhibiting any wear.

The numeral 147 denotes vertically-directed slots which are provided in the flanges 42 and 43 of the platen 40, and those slots are in register with each other. The numeral 149 denotes a latching member which has the right-hand end thereof extending through the slot 147 in the flange 43, as indicated particularly by FIG. 12; and the numeral 151 denotes a similar latching member which has the lefthand end thereof extending through the slot 147 in the flange 42 on that platen. The right-hand end of the latching member 149 also extends into a slot 157 in the flange 121 of the upper platen 118; and the left-hand end of the latching member 151 extends into a slot 157 in the flange 120 of that upper platen. The slots 157 are similar to, and are in register with, the slots 147 in the flanges 42 and 43 of the lower platen 40. A helical compression spring 153 encircles the central portions of the latching members 149 and 151, and it urges the left-hand end of latching member 151 into the slot 157 in flange 120 while urging the right-hand end of latching member 149 into the slot 157 in the flange 121, as those latches and flanges are viewed in FIG. 12. However, that spring can yield to permit the latching members 149 and 151 to be moved inwardly until they are clear of the slots 157 in the flanges 120 and 121 of the platen 118. A rotatable latch release is rotatably mounted within an opening in the closure 'for the bottom of the scrip transport 30; and that latch release has a slot in the under surface thereof which can accommodate a screwdriver.

The scrip transport 30 is essentially identical to the identically-numbered bill transport in Fishel et al. application Ser. No. 297,327 which was filed on Oct. 13,

1972 and which became US. Pat. No. 3,845,469 on Oct. 29, 1974, and also is essentially identical to the identically-numbered bill transport in Carter et al. application Ser. No. 405,535 which was filed on Oct. 1 l, 1973 and which became US. Pat. No. 3,870,629 on Mar. 1 l, 1975 except that the magnetic head 210 has been shifted closer to the leading edge of the platen 118, that the magnet 48 has been added, that the block-- ing member 178 and the elements associated with it have been added, that the toothed members 216 and 218 and the elements associated with the latter toothed member have been added, that the closure 165 has been added, and that the latches 149 and 151 and the elements associated with them have been added. In the scrip transport 30, the air gaps of the magnetic heads 208 and 210 define parallel lines which are transverse of the longitudinal axis of the platen 118 and which are spaced apart one-half of an inch. The inner faces of the magnetic heads 208 and 210 are spaced apart one-sixteenth of an inch transversely of the'longitudinal axis of the platen 118.

If an authentic piece of scrip 130 is introduced into the scrip transport 30, and if it has the proper orientation, the leading edge of that piece of scrip will cause actuator 148 to move far enough to close switch 146. Thereupon, the motor 562 will be energized, as described in the said Fishel et at. or Carter et al. patents; and the belts 198 and 199 will move that piece of scrip inwardly of that scrip transport. If no effort is made, by the patron who inserted that piece of scrip, to prevent continuing and uninterrupted movement of that piece of scrip into the scrip transport 30, the operation of that scrip transport will be similar to the operation of the identically-numbered transport in the said Fishel et al. or Carter et al. patents; and reference is hereby made to those patents for a detailed description of the operation of the switches and motor of the scrip trans- 9 port 30.

At the time the piece of script 130 is introduced into the scrip transport 30, the solenoid 388 will be energized, and it will be holding the blocking member 178 in the raised position shown by FIG. 9. If a person were to permit that piece of scrip to move wholly inwardly beyond the slots 171 and 172 in the lower platen 40 and then, after the solenoid 383 had become de-energized and had permitted the spring 393 to move the blocking member 178 downwardly into blocking position, were to attempt to use a ribbon, tape or other tail which he had attached to that piece of scrip to pull that piece of scrip outwardly of the scrip transport 30, the blocking fingers 180 and 181 would be lying directly in the path of that piece of scrip. If moderate, outwardly-directed forces were applied to that piece of scrip, that piece of scrip would move toward the platform 32 until it engaged the fingers 180 and 181; and then those fingers would prevent further outward movement of that piece of scrip. However, if strong, outwardly-directed forces were applied to that piece of scrip, the paper of which that piece of scrip was made would tear; and the person would beunable to retrieve the piece of scrip in intact form. In no event could any outwardly-directed forces on the piece of scrip raise the blocking member 178; because the fingers 180 and 181 of that blocking member would respond to such forces to try to rotate in the clockwise direction of FIGS. 3 and 4 and thus would be held solidly in blocking position.

If that person were to insert an object into the scrip transport 30 in an effort to apply forces to the fingers 180 and 181, that person would be forced to use a thin flexible object. This is due to the fact that the semicylindrical leading edge 124 of the upper platen 118 co acts with the upwardly-inclined trailing edge 38 of the lower platen 40 to effectively obviate a straight-line path from the leading edge of the platform 32 to either of the fingers 180 and 181; and hence any inserted object would have to bend before it could be moved inwardly beyond that upwardly-inclined trailing edge. In being limited to a thin, flexible object, that person would be limited in the amount of force which he could apply to the fingers 180 and 181. Moreover, because the present invention disposes the fingers 180 and 181 just a short distance inwardly of the upwardly-inclined trailing edge 38 of the platform 32, that upwardlyinclined trailing edge would coact with the semi-cylindrical leading edge 26 of the upper platen 118 to force the inner end of any thin flexible object to bend upwardly and engage those fingers adjacent to the points where those fingers extend downwardly through the slots 168 and 166. This is important; because it means that the inner end of that thin flexible object would quickly move upwardly into engagement with the lower surface of the platen 118 if that thin flexible object was able to rotate the blocking member 178 in the counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 and such engagement would block further counterclockwise rotation of that blocking member. It should also be noted that the lower portions of the leading edges of the fingers 180 and 181 incline forwardly and downwardly from the vertical at a substantial angle. That inclination is important; because it disposes the lower ends of those fingers closer to the pivot 176 than are any portions of those fingers to which a thin flexible object could apply forces. Consequently, even if a person were able to use a thin flexible object to apply forces to 10 the fingers 180 and 181 which tended to rotate the blocking member 178 toward the position of FIG. 9, the lower ends of those fingers would jarn against that thin flexible object and block any such rotation. Further, it should be noted that if a person inserts a thin flexible object into the scrip transport 30 and then pushes inwardly on that thin flexible object, a rotative moment would be applied to the blocking member 178. However, because the pivot 176 is close to the upper surface of the upperplaten 118, the moment arm of that rotative moment will be quite small. As a result, the forces to which the blocking member 178 will be subjected will be largely in tension and shear and only to a lesser extent in rotation. All of this means that it would be extremely difficult, and probably impossible,

for a person to force any kind of object into position beneath the lower ends of the fingers 180 and 181 of the blocking member 178. Even if, somehow, a person could move some kind of object into position beneath the lower ends of the fingers 180 and 181 of the blocking member 178, that object would itself be an obstacle to the retrieval of the piece of scrip 130. As a result, it would be very difficult, and probably impossible, for a person to force the fingers 1811) and 181 to move far enough upwardly to enable that person to retrieve a piece of scrip 130 from the scrip transport 30.

As the belts 198 and 199 move a piece of scrip toward the rear of the scrip transport 30, the leading edge of that piece of scrip will move into position between the toothed members 216 and 218. Those toothed members are shown in FIG. 11 in positions wherein no parts of the toothed surfaces thereon are conextensive, and wherein the apex of every tooth on the toothed member 218 is disposed below the level of the apex of the lowermost tooth on the toothed member 216. As a result, the piece of scrip can pass between those toothed members without being appreciably impeded by either of them. v

If it ever became desirable to move the toothed surfaces on the toothed member 218 downwardly below the position shown by FIG. 11, it would only be necessary to rotate the bolt 223 so it would cause the cam 227 to shift to the right in FIG. 11. As that cam was so shifted, the springs 226 would cause the toothed member 218 to rotate in the clockwise direction about the pivot 63; and hence the toothed surfaces on that toothed member would move downwardly.

If the scrip validator, of which the scrip transport 30 is a part, is located in an area which requires high security, the apex of at least one tooth on each of the toothed surfaces of the toothed member 218 should be disposed above the level of the apex on the lowermost tooth on the toothed member 216. To attain that result, it would only be necessary to rotate the bolt 223 so it would shift the cam 227 to the position shown by FIG.

' 13; and, thereupon, the upper edges of the leading teeth on the toothed member 218 will be coextensive with the leading tooth on the toothed member 216. Thereafter, laterally-spaced portions of the leading edge of each piece of scrip will engage the leading portions of the front teeth on the toothed member 218 and will be caused to bow upwardly. However, the center of that leading edge will be held downwardly by the toothed member 216 and by the actuator 164 of switch 162; and hence the piece of scrip will begin to assume the configuration shown by FIG. 2. As each successive portion of the length of the piece of scrip moves through the space between the toothed members 216 and 218, that portion will be given the configuration shown by FIG. 2. However, as the belts 198 and 19% move the trailing edge of the piece of scrip inwardly beyond the toothed members 216 and 218, the restorative forces within that piece of scrip will cause the trailing edge of that piece of scrip to return to its normal flat condition. At that time, either the toothed member 216 or the toothed member 218 or both will lie directly in the path which that piece of scrip would have to follow if it were to be drawn into and through the passageway defined by the platens 40 and 1 18 of the scrip transport 30. Consequently, if a person were to apply a retrieving force to a tape, ribbon or other tail which he had attached to the piece of scrip, one of the teeth on the toothed member 216 and at least two of the teeth on the tooth member 218 would intercept the rear edge of that piece of scrip and thereby prevent movement of that piece of scrip back into that passageway.

The anti-retrieval effect which is provided by the toothed members 216 and 218 will normally be great enough to cause a person to give up in his attempt to retrieve the piece of scrip. Further, that anti-retrieval effect could cause the ribbon, tape or other tail to break or to pull away from the piece of scrip. However, if a strong ribbon, tape or other tail was used, and if that ribbon, tape or other tail was fixedly secured to the piece of scrip, and if the person was able to pull that ribbon, tape or other tail wholly outwardly of the scrip transport 30, the toothed members 216 and 218 would tear or shred the piece of scrip and keep it from leaving the scrip transport in intact form.

During the adjusting of the position of the toothed member 218, the rotation of the bolt 223 will cause the cam 227 to move relative to the hardened bearing plate 228 and relative to the trailing edges of the sides of the blocking member 218. The inclinations of those trailing edges enable those trailing edges to act as inclined planes, and hence adjustments in the positions of that toothed member are easily affected.

As shown particularly by FIG. 6, toothed sides of the toothed member 218 are generally aligned with the actuators 148 and 158. This is desirable; because if a person were to attach a ribbon, tape or other tail to a piece of scrip in the expectation that the said ribbon, tape or other tail would overlie the toothed sides of the toothed member 218, that ribbon, tape or other tail would keep those actuators from returning to their normal positions with consequent reversal of the motor 562.

As shown particularly by FIG. 3, the trailing edge of the actuator 164 for the switch 162 is close to the toothed member 218. This is desirable; because it means that any piece of scrip which is moved wholly inwardly beyond the actuator 164 will be moved beyond the leading teeth on the toothed sides of the toothed member 218. If a person attempts to retrieve that piece of scrip, those teeth will strongly resist such attempts.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without effecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

l. A validator which comprises passageway-defining members that are spaced apart to define an elongated shallow passageway for a document, a pivot, a blocking member which is rotatably mounted on said pivot and which has a portion thereof that is selectively disposable in blocking position in said passageway or out of said blocking position, said portion of said blocking member having a leading edge which inclines downwardly and forwardly relative to said passageway, and wherein any point on said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member which can be engaged by an object inserted into said passageway will be further away from said pivot than is the lower part of said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member, whereby said lower part of said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member will jam against said object if said portion of said blocking member tends to rotate out of blocking position in response to the insertion of said object, whereby said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member can keep said object from rotating said portion of said blocking member out of said blocking position.

2. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members being adjustable at a time when a document is not present in said validator, said one of said toothed members being adjustable to move 1 a toothed surface thereon relative to a toothed surface on the other of said toothed members.

3. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable documerit, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition.

4. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, an upper platen and a lower platen that coact to define a space through which. said means moves said document past said sensor, one of said toothed members being supported by said lower platen, the other of said toothed members being supported by said upper platen, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable whereby said toothed members can require said docu-' ment to bow transversely'as it moves, and to enable it I to move, between saidtoothedmembers, =said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at-leastoneof said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition.

5. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members being adjustable at a time when a document is not present in said validator, said one of said toothed members being adjustable to move a toothed surface thereon relative to a toothed surface on the other of said toothed members, said one of said toothed members being movable to a position wherein it provides little or no impedance to the movement of an acceptable document past said toothed members.

6. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document at the time said document reassumes its flat condition, a switch, an actuator for said switch that has a portion thereof which is biased toward and which normally lies in the path of a document being moved relative to said toothed members by said means, said portion of said actuator being movable out of said path by the leading edge of said document as said document is being moved relative to said toothed members by said means but the bias on said portion of said actuator causing said portion of said actuator to apply a bowing force to said document while said document is engaged by said portion of said actuator, said switch having one condition whenever said actuator is in said path of said document being moved relative tosaid toothed members by said means but having a second and different condition whenever said actuator is out of said path of said document, and said actuator being disposed close to but rearwardly of at least one tooth on said one of said toothed members whenever saidmeans moves said document between said toothed members, said means moving said trailing edge of said document rearwardly of said one tooth on said one of said toothed members before the trailing edge of said. document moves rearwardly beyond said actuator and releasessaid actuator, the movement of said trailing edge of said document rearwardly beyond said actuator relieving said document of said bowing force due to said bias on said portion of said actuator and also enabling said portion of said actuator to respond to said bias thereon to move back into the path of said document, whereby said actuator and said toothed members will prevent reverse movement of any document which has had the trailing edge thereof moved rearwardly beyond said actuator, said actuator responding to rearward movement of said documentinto engagement with said portion thereof to cause said switch to change from said one condition thereof to said second and different condition thereof, said actuator maintaining said switch in said one condition as said means continues to move said document rearwardly relative to said tootl'ned members until said trailing edge of said document has been moved rearwardly of said one tooth on said one of said toothed members and also has been moved rearwardly of said portion of said actuator, said actuator then permitting said switch to change back to said one condition thereof, whereby the rearward movement of said document into engagement with and then beyond said por tion of said actuator will cause said switch to indicate that a document has been so moved and whereby said actuator and said one tooth of said one of said toothed members will prevent reverse movement of said document.

7. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being station ary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, each of said toothed members having the apices of the teeth thereon spaced generally parallel to the path of movement through which said means moves said document relative to said toothed members, whereby the leading edge of each document is successively moved past a succession of apices of teeth.

8. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, each of said toothed members having the apices of the teeth thereon spaced generally parallel to the path of movement through which said means moves said document relative to said toothed members, whereby the leading 16 edge of each document is successively moved past a succession of apices of teeth, and said teeth on said toothed members being formed and disposed to present gently-inclined surfaces to said leading edge of each document as said document is being moved inwardly of said validator by said means but to present abruptlydisposed surfaces to the trailing edge of said document if an effort is made to pull said document through said validator in the reverse direction. 

1. A validator which comprises passageway-defining members that are spaced apart to define an elongated shallow passageway for a document, a pivot, a blocking member which is rotatably mounted on said pivot and which has a portion thereof that is selectively disposable in blocking position in said passageway or out of said blocking position, said portion of said blocking member having a leading edge which inclines downwardly and forwardly relative to said passageway, and wherein any point on said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member which can be engaged by an object inserted into said passageway will be further away from said pivot than is the lower part of said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member, whereby said lower part of said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member will jam against said object if said portion of said blocking member tends to rotate out of blocking position in response to the insertion of said object, whereby said leading edge of said portion of said blocking member can keep said object from rotating said portion of said blocking member out of said blocking position.
 2. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members being adjustable at a time when a document is not present in said validator, said one of said toothed members being adjustable to move a toothed surface thereon relative to a toothed surface on the other of said toothed members.
 3. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said tooThed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition.
 4. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, an upper platen and a lower platen that coact to define a space through which said means moves said document past said sensor, one of said toothed members being supported by said lower platen, the other of said toothed members being supported by said upper platen, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition.
 5. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members being adjustable at a time when a document is not present in said validator, said one of said toothed members being adjustable to move a toothed surface thereon relative to a toothed surface on the other of said toothed members, said one of said toothed members being movable to a position wherein it provides little or no impedance to the movement of an acceptable document past said toothed members.
 6. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document at the time said document reassumes its flat condition, a switch, an actuator for said switch that has a portion thereof which is biased toward and which normally lies in the path of a document being moved relative to said toothed members by said means, said portion of said actuator being movable out of said path by the leading edge of said document as said document is being moved relative to said toothed members by said means but the bias on said portion of said actuator causing said portion of said actuator to apply a bowing force to said document while said document is engaged by said portion of said actuator, said switch having one condition whenever said actuator is in said path of said document being moved relative to said toothed members by said means but having a second and different condition whenever said actuator is out of said path of said document, and said actuator being disposed close to but rearwardly of at least one tooth on said one of said toothed members whenever said means moves said document between said toothed members, said means moving said trailing edge of said document rearwardly of said one tooth on said one of said toothed members before the trailing edge of said document moves rearwardly beyond said actuator and releases said actuator, the movement of said trailing edge of said document rearwardly beyond said actuator relieving said document of said bowing force due to said bias on said portion of said actuator and also enabling said portion of said actuator to respond to said bias thereon to move back into the path of said document, whereby said actuator and said toothed members will prevent reverse movement of any document which has had the trailing edge thereof moved rearwardly beyond said actuator, said actuator responding to rearward movement of said document into engagement with said portion thereof to cause said switch to change from said one condition thereof to said second and different condition thereof, said actuator maintaining said switch in said one condition as said means continues to move said document rearwardly relative to said toothed members until said trailing edge of said document has been moved rearwardly of said one tooth on said one of said toothed members and also has been moved rearwardly of said portion of said actuator, said actuator then permitting said switch to change back to said one condition thereof, whereby the rearward movement of said document into engagement with and then beyond said portion of said actuator will cause said switch to indicate that a document has been so moved and whereby said actuator and said one tooth of said one of said toothed members will prevent reverse movement of said document.
 7. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, each of said toothed members having the apices of the teeth thereon spaced generally parallel to the path of movement through which said means moves said document relative to said toothed members, whereby the leading edge of each document is successively moved past a succession of apices of teeth.
 8. A validator which comprises a sensor, means to provide relative movement between a document and said sensor, a toothed member past which said means will move an accepted document, a further toothed member past which said means will move said accepted document, both of said toothed members being stationary during the acceptance of each acceptable document, said toothed members being near each other but being out of register with each other, whereby said toothed members can require said document to bow transversely as it moves, and to enable it to move, between said toothed members, said document, after it has been moved past said toothed members, responding to the restorative forces therein to reassume its flat condition, at least one of said toothed members lying in the path of reverse movement of said document after said document has reassumed its flat condition, each of said toothed members having the apices of the teeth thereon spaced generally parallel to the path of movement through which said means moves said document relative to said toothed members, whereby the leading edge of each document is successively moved past a succession of apices of teeth, and said teeth on said toothed members being formed and disposed to present gently-inclined surfaces to said leading edge of each document as said document is being moved inwardly of said validator by said means but to present abruptly-disposed surfaces to the trailing edge of said document if an effort is made to pull said document through said validator in the reverse direction. 